Eric Holcomb on Technology

High-tech is key to unlocking 21st century economy

Because we've created one of the best business climates in the country, we've become national leaders in business growth. Businesses and jobs that a dozen years ago were going to Austin or Boston or the Silicon Valley are now coming to Indiana. Because
we saw that innovation and high-tech were keys to unlocking the 21st century economy, we aggressively pursued them. And today, those investments have ignited new high-tech jobs all across our state.

Businesses from around the world are coming to
Indiana now because our costs of living and doing business are low and the quality of our workforce is high. This is great news for Hoosier workers. But we know the world will not stand still, and those who don't keep up will be left behind.

For all our growing strength in high tech too many Hoosier businesses are having trouble finding the skilled workers they need to grow--not just potential scientists and engineers but also coders, machinists, mechanics and welders.

Invest a little more to keep the Crossroads of America

My second pillar [for economic growth] is a sustainable plan to fund our roads and bridges for the next 20 years. We're able to drive the goods we produce and grow to 80% of the nation's population within 24 hours. For Indiana, The Crossroads of America
is more than a motto. It's a mission.

I will work with you to establish a plan that preserves what we have, finishes commitments we have made, and invests in the new projects for the future that ensures Indiana remains The Crossroads of America.
These include projects in every quadrant of our state: upgrades of US 30 from Ft. Wayne to Valparaiso, and 31 to South Bend, additional lanes on I-70 and I-65, and completing I-69 from Evansville to Ft. Wayne.

The fact is, existing sources of revenue
are just not keeping up. If we ask Hoosiers to invest a little more, to meet the need, the return is going to be well worth it--for them, for our communities, and for our economy.